I thank you very much for your kind words and I would like to assure you of my hearty feelings that reflect the feelings of the Greek people for the people of Azerbaijan. I would also like to thank you warmly for the cordial hospitality you extended to all of us, your Greek guests participating at the first state visit by a Greek President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

There had been contacts between Greek and the population of this region in Antiquity. However, today’s relations are all the more so important; we must serve them in a spirit of confidence in the value of our friendship. Permit me to remind that Greece hailed the independence of Azerbaijan as early as 1991 and forthwith established diplomatic relations with the then new country of yours.

Today’s talks corroborated the conviction of how necessary is our cooperation as well as the fostering of a climate of mutual respect and trust, which will help our bilateral cooperation move forward in all fields.

Greece opened its Embassy in Baku as early as 1993, which does reflect the importance we attach to the development of our relations with your country. Its operation gave a strong impetus to the progress of Greek-Azeri relations.

I take the opportunity to say how delighted we are with your decision, adopted by the Azeri Parliament, to open an Embassy in Athens soon; the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Athens will constitute a live connection between Athens and Baku.

Mr. President,

In the context of this visit, it was deemed constructive to set up a business meeting, which aims at further expanding the existing good economic relations between Greece and Azerbaijan. Our delegation is thus composed also of a group of prominent Greek businessmen who are currently exploring the prospects of further cooperation in various sectors of the economy and trade. We trust their presence here and their contacts with their Azeri counterparts will further enhance our economic relations.

The success of this visit in the economic field is underscored by the signing of three very important economic bilateral agreements that constitute the springboard for further growth of business and investment activities.

Our relations in the energy sector are already close and I am confident that in the near dimension will e added thanks to the forthcoming cooperation involving the energy corridor linking Azerbaijan with Western Europe. This link will strengthen even more the geo-strategic and geo-economic position of your country standing between Europe and Asia.

I would also like to welcome good progress in our cultural relations. The implementation of the first Program of Cultural Exchange in the framework of the Educational Agreement of 1994 ushered in an ear of exchange in the field of cultural activities.

Cooperation between our universities is of paramount importance. This cooperation is taking shape in the form of agreement between Greek and Azeri Higher Education Institutions that have already been signed or are to e signed soon.

Part of these efforts is the foundation of the Center of Modern Greek Language and Civilization in the local Slavic University that will be inaugurated tomorrow, in conjunction with a scholarship program granted by the Greek government.

Mr. President,

The recent enlargement of the Europe Union constitutes a historical leap forward for the entire European Continent; Greece specifically welcomed the integration of Cyprus among the European family.

Said enlargement constitutes a unique opportunity for further promoting the relations of the Union with its neighbors to the East as well as to the South. In fact, the acknowledgement that, in the wake of the enlargement, closer cooperation with its new neighbors would be more than necessary, recently led the Europe Union to the adoption of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP). The ultimate goal of said policy is strengthening cooperation between the European Union and the new neighbors in the fields of political dialogue of trade and the internal market, of justice and home affairs as well as in other sectors.

We are particularly pleased that a few days ago the European Council, on the basis of a Greek proposal submitted under Greek Presidency, decided to admit Azerbaijan in the European Neighborhood Policy. This is the vindication of a Greek policy since our country has always held the position that all three countries of the Caucasus must become part of this policy as soon as possible end, in fact, at the same time.

May I also remind that the decision to appoint a Special Representative of the European Union for Southern Caucasus and to launch the energy dialogue with Azerbaijan was also made under Greek Presidency.

Mr. President,

Greece follows with particular interest the course of your country and encourages every efforts in the direction of promoting political and economic reform and strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law.

My country wholeheartedly supported the accession of Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe that took place in 2001.

Greece considers existing cooperation in International Organizations as very satisfactory. I take this opportunity to thank Azerbaijan for having supported the Greek candidacy for the United Nations Security Council for the period 2005-2006.

Greece attaches great importance to the initiatives undertaken by the Azeri government to achieve a political settlement for the Nagorny Karabakh problem. My country, as well as the Europe Union, supports the direct negotiations between the President of Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as the mediation efforts of the Minsk group in order to achieve a just and viable solution of this issue. To this end it is necessary to respect the International Law and to refrain from any action that could endanger peace in the region.

Mr. President,

Greece considers southeastern Europe among the top priorities of its foreign policy. We strive to enhance relations with neighboring countries on a bilateral and a multilateral basis, aiming at securing and maintaining pace in the region. A region that, unfortunately, is not free of all risk of a flare up. We believe that the firm decision of the countries of southeastern Europe to join the Europe Union and NATO contributes to strengthening peace and cooperation in the region as well as to the prosperity of its peoples. Greece does its utmost to assist them in their European path; my country’s genuine interest for its region, the Balkans, has been reflects, as we all known, at the Saloniki Summit (21 June 2003) that put Western Balkans on the road of accession to the European Union.

Our country also pursues its initiatives and efforts to improve Greek-Turkish relations through cooperation in issues of common interest. We aspire through cooperation in issues of common interest. We aspire to more Greek-Turkish relations into a framework of good neighborly relations governed by the rules of international law. We hope that the sincere governed by the rules of international law. We hope that the sincere aspiration of ours will be reciprocated by our neighbor in the same earnest spirit. The recent visit by Prime Minister Erdogan in Athens strengthened our hope as well as willingness of the two countries to cooperate.

Mr. President,

The outcome of the referendum in Cyprus reflects the quasi-unanimous conviction of Greek Cypriots that the Plan they were called the evaluate neither secured the balance between the two Communities not provided the necessary guarantees for the future evaluation of their relations. I should like to assure you that Cyprus, like Greece, are earnestly committed to achieving the reunification of the islands through a just and functional settlement on the basis of the plan of the United Nations Secretary General and in the context of the Community acquis and of the fundamental principles of the Europe Union. The accession of Cyprus has ushered in a new dynamism in view to the forthcoming settlement of the Cyprus issue. What remains to e done are some essential clarifications and improvements of the Plan of the Secretary General of the United Nations that will benefit both sides.

In concluding, may I dwell on the top global athletic event, the Olympic Games and Greece will showcase to the world in two months, with knowledge-legacy of our history-and with rightful pride. We aspire to host Games that will be characterized y the quality of organization and the sense of measure. We are doing whatever is humanly possible in this direction and we are confident that in this effort we will be successful. We also hope that the ideal of the Olympic Truce during the Games, an idea revived from Antiquity, will solidify peace and cooperation between peoples.

Mr. President,

I trust that our talks today will constitute a solid foundation for further developing relations and deepening the cooperation between our countries. It is in this spirit that I would like to thank you again for your warm hospitality and raise my glass to propose a toast wishing health and happiness to you and your wife as well as progress and prosperity to the friendly people of Azerbaijan.